FIVE years ago last month, Madeleine McCann disappeared on a family holiday.

Since then, her young smiling face, appearing so full of happiness, has been splashed the pages of newspapers across the world as her parents desperately searched for their little girl.

As the days, weeks, months and years went by, hope of finding her alive must have understandably faded but with every anniversary or birthday Kate and Gerry McCann appear in the press appealing for any information which could help their search for their daughter.

Theirs was a very high profile missing person case but for others, their frantic search for a loved one does not make the headlines. But it is just as real.

It is a living nightmare all the same for those less well known families who are having to face a painful present and future without their children not knowing if they are dead or alive.

For Damien Nettles' family, it has been 16 years without contact. He was at a party with friends and he simply never returned home.

His family are still searching for answers and last year a murder investigation was launched despite no body being found.

In Gloucestershire, six people are reported missing every day – a staggering figure – and the cost of helping to police this must be astronomical but at the same time for every one of those people who return home, it is money well spent.

Sadly, for some there will never be that reassuring phone call home.

While over time this pain may get easier to live with it must never go away and every time that phone rings or there's a knock at the door, there must be a dashed hope.

Our thoughts are with all of those families who are missing someone special today and every day.

AT The Citizen, we are not backward in coming forward to praise young people who do well.

From apprentices to cadets, Scouts and others, it is important to champion their achievements and reward their efforts.

Today, we feature two shop assistants who really did go the extra mile to help others saving a customer's life.

The quick actions of Beth Thomas and Laurie Merchant helped a man survive when he collapsed in the store. Well done – they truly are positive young people.